16 Feb 2009

Chilly today! The scheduled 4 miles ended up closer to 6, but it was a quite pleasant 6 miles (5.5, actually). I was amazed it was still light out, even though it was nearly 630 when I finished! Spring is on its way, I guess. JUST visible up the street, making its slow but inevitable way towards us, bringing with it longer days, warmer days, flowers, puppies and yes, allergies, too. But I say it's a pretty fair trade-off. I'm going to do my best to remember this when I'm running tonight in the still-chilly evening air. I'm going to savor it, because it's not going to last. Yes, it's cold. But I'll miss it, come the 90-plus days of summer. So I'm going to be as present in the cold tonight as I can be; I'm going to ingrain that sensation in my brain, so I can revisit it when I'm sweating buckets in July and August. Cold. Yay.

14 Feb 2009

A good running day. I met the Team out at Byrd Park, and I'm really glad I did. Holly McFeely and her daughter (a patient honoree) Emma were there for our Mission Moment. It was truly heartbreaking to hear about what Emma went through, being diagnosed with leukemia and undergoing chemotherapy at only 10 weeks old. But at the same time, it was incredibly inspiring. Emma recovered (8 years in remission today!), and is a more accomplished athlete than I am! She is a triathlete as well as a future marathoner (as proudly proclaimed by her sweatshirt).
Her mother, Holly, gave this advice (paraphrased, not quoted): When you're out there running, and you get to mile 17 or 18 and your legs hurt and you're miserable, think about Emma. Think about the pain and trauma she went through during her chemotherapy. Think about all the other people out there undergoing chemotherapy now. That is a more painful and horrible experience than any pain you might be feeling from running a few miles.
Perspective.

12 Feb 2009

Took last night off, had dinner plans; but I'm going to try for a nice 4 miles tonight. I'm going to miss the long run tomorrow, but I'm going to make up for it by running to Coleman's house before the 5k, then running the 5k, then running some after. It may not be one long 14 miles, but I'll get my mileage in, one way or the other.

11 Feb 2009

Another decent 4 mile run; the knee continues to heal. I am going to give myself a rest today, and do another mid-light jog tomorrow. I am going to miss the long run on Saturday; I am signed up for a Valentine's Day 5k at Forest Hill Park. To make up for it, though, I am going to run TO the park before the race, and home again after. This will make up most of my scheduled long run, and I think will make it easier to accomplish without the motivation of my teammates around me.
I am going to pause on my way to the park, though, to meet up with the team at Byrd Park, and join in the stretching and mission moment.

10 Feb 2009

Did 4 miles yesterday, instead of my scheduled 7; but ran a faster pace than usual (about 9:15 instead of 10:00). Felt good, both to accomplish the faster run, and to run, period. The knee felt pretty good, although I found if I landed at all forward on my left foot, there was some pain. As long as I kept my form under control, I was fine, though. So, my conclusion: I'm not recovered, but I'm recovering. I'll chalk that up as a "win."

9 Feb 2009

I took today off, hoping a little extra down-time would speed the recovery of my knee/hip. I'm going to try going for a jog today, though. I'm scheduled to do 7 miles, which is less distance than I did on Saturday, before the pain kicked in, so we'll see. I'm not going to push it, though. I'd rather cut back and recover than over-train (I've been warned against the potentially permanent perils of this - try saying THAT three times fast!) and make things worse. Fingers crossed.

7 Feb 2009

Well, the slight knee pain was NOT from sleeping funny on my leg, it seems. Saturday's run was curtailed by said knee pain. About 10 miles in, it hit me. Never excruciating, but enough to force me to walk the last 6 miles of the route. Best theory at the moment is ITB Syndrome, which is basically just when the tendon that runs from your hip to your knee pulls tight and rubs against your knee bone, causing discomfort. I've got some stretches and whatnot I can do to alleviate the pain and I should be good to go (hopefully) by next weekend.
As an additional treatment suggestion, Coach Chuck advised me to take an ice bath. I have heard of this practice, but have never tried it myself. Fill a tub with cold tap water, then dump in a bag of ice (I used 16lbs), then hop in. Yikes. Cold? Yes, very. Apparently, this weekend also happened to be the annual Polar Plunge, so I guess I can't feel TOO bad about my fifteen minutes of discomfort when compared to guys who jump full-on into water that is most likely colder (or at least AS cold) as what I was in, only up to my waist, with a sweatshirt on and a cup of hot coffee in my hand. And in hindsight, the ice bath really wasn't that bad. I'd do it again.
So, from frosted faces to icy baths, I can say I've experienced my share of cold this winter. Bring on the Spring.

4 Feb 2009

Hills last night. I took the day off of work so I could get some things done around the house, and to rest up, so I went a little earlier than I usually go running. It was nice to get out there while the sun was still high in the sky. The run itself was tough; I think I really need to find my stopwatch if I'm going to be running hills alone. I need a better way to monitor my pace. I think I run too fast when I'm by myself, exceeding that 60-90s goal time. My first hill training, I ran consistent 1:17 reps; the second time (with a watch) I ran 1:05 then two 1:10s. I have no idea what my times were this time, but if I were to guess? I'd say my first rep was under a minute, my second slightly over, my third close to 1:30. I was exhausted.
Still, I'm proud of myself. I really wanted to quit after the second repetition. I was already drained, but I took a step down the hill, then another, and then I realized I was committed. I'd have to go down the hill and then run back up it in order to go home. So I did.
Later yesterday evening, we had a Team Injury Prevention Clinic with TNT Coach and certified Physical Therapist Tim Dey. Tim also ran our Nutrition Clinic several weeks ago. He is extremely knowledgeable and, even though I am not currently injured*, I found the clinic to be very informative, and I will be sharing what I learned with all my runner friends.
Tonight, I'm going very hardcore: I will be pushing myself through a rigorous evening of couching and televisioning, in preparation for tomorrow morning's 16-miler.


*I've had some slight knee pain today, but I think it is from sleeping on it funny, not from running. We'll see (fingers crossed).

3 Feb 2009

All day I felt I was in the midst of fighting of a cold or somesuch ailment. With that in mind, I decided to not run, but to stay in, eat, hydrate and go to bed early. That accomplished, I feel worlds better today. Unfortunately, I neglected to remember I have an appointment at my office's blood drive this morning, so running may not be encouraged. I'm going to ask, but I'm not holding my breath they'll tell me, "Yeah, go ahead and run 7 miles today. It's only 1/6th of your blood we're taking out; you'll be fine." Either way, I'm going to get out and take a nice long walk or something. I hate missing days.

2 Feb 2009

What a day! The weather was absolutely wonderful! Shorts and t-shirt weather! I could tell by the end of my run, though, the temperature was dropping and the wind was picking up, preparing to bombard us with a deluge of... half an inch of snow? Still, it was nice to run in the warm weather and then get to wake up to see the cars and trees and houses painted with snow.

31 Jan 2009

I finally get it. I understand what Coach Chuck means when he says "There are no hills in Richmond." Compared to Charlottesville, a mere hour's drive away, there really are no hills in Richmond. None.
The run itself was a lot of fun, though! We met the Charlottesville Team at UVA's U-Center, and after some introductions and a Mission Moment, we briefly reviewed our route and set off. The course of our run covered a lot of different areas, including the UVA grounds, the downtown mall, the Rivanna Trail (where there were a few ice-related slips and falls - but no injuries!), even some residential neighborhoods.
I ran most of the way with a group of Charlottesville runners: Emily (center, pink earband), Molly (center, white fleece), Vanessa (left, green fleece) and Renee (left, pink fleece). (I'm front and center, lounging - ahem - gracefully, and holding up the sign with Amber - that asphalt was COLD, by the way! And thank you, Art, for the photo!). They are all wonderful folks, and I owe Emily, especially, a great big huge thank you, because when I fell behind (those hills! I love em, but boy are they tough!), she stuck with me. It didn't keep us from getting lost, mind you, but at least neither of us was lost and alone.
There were a few wrong turns (one group ended up adding almost two miles onto their run), but everyone made it, and was smiling at the end. After the run, we all went to Panera Bread for lunch and socializing. We left just in time, though, as the long-run-plus-food weariness was beginning to set in, and I think people would have started falling asleep in their food soon.
In all, a great run ("Yeah, yeah, Dave," you're saying, I know, "They're ALL great runs, aren't they?" To which I respond, heartily, "YES!"). I hope to see more of the Charlottesville folks, either here in Richmond or back out in C-ville. Hills ARE our friends, after all. Why wouldn't we visit?

29 Jan 2009

Hills last night with Coach Chuck. We did three reps on the hill, a leeeetle bit fast on the first (1:05), but pretty consistent on the second two (1:10 each). Chuck suggested we try for a fourth, and I declined; but today I really wish I hadn't.
These hill workouts are (I'm told) THE best way to build the muscle necessary to improve my endurance and speed, as well as build my cardiovascular endurance. Speed is probably the least important of these factors, to me. My goal for race-day is not so much centered on a goal time (the closest to a goal time I have is "under 5 hours," but really, if I'm over that, that's fine), but more on the idea of simply finishing, and doing so with a smile on my face. But speed work (and hill work) are both good for your breath, which has always been my number 1 boondoggle, when it comes to running. My legs get tired, yes, but I've always been KO'd more by a lack of oxygen than muscle fatigue. Working on this makes me happy, especially when I have those moments when I can look back and actually see where I've improved.

26 Jan 2009

A pretty good run yesterday, but I'll be honest, I'm not really looking forward to today's. Cold rain is my least favorite kind of weather, and it's been nothing but cold and rainy all day today. Sigh. I guess this is just one of those things, though. I didn't sign up to train over the winter thinking I would never have to run in unpleasant conditions, so I can't really complain.
I guess it'll be a good opportunity to test the wind- and water-resistance of my new running jacket...
Okay, enough negativity. It is what it is. I'm smiling now; I'll keep smiling while I run, whatever the weather.

22 Jan 2009

HILLS! Coach Chuck couldn't make it out last night for our hill training, but since I was already in my running togs and at UofR, I went ahead and just ran them by myself. I was unable to time my repetitions (I seem to have misplaced my running watch), but whatever my time was, I pushed myself pretty hard. I decided to play it safe, since I was by myself, it was dark, and cars don't like to, you know, NOT hit you, so I only did two reps. Next week, I'll do more.

21 Jan 2009

I think it can be safely said our Silent Auction was a rousing success! The place was PACKED, and lots of great items were sold. (I think) everyone had fun - I know I did. A great big enormous giant thanks to Nikki, Amber and Jen
for putting this thing together, and for making sure it all ran smoothly! You guys are the best!

17 Jan 2009

Okay, everyone, I want you to do something for me. Go back through this blog, check out the archives, and anywhere I mention the cold, immediately have a hearty laugh at my expense, because I have been naive and disillusioned about this. TODAY was cold. When I woke up, I turned on the Weather Channel, which said Richmond was 6 degrees. Fifteen minutes later, that had fallen to 5. I think when I met the group at Byrd Park to begin our run, it had warmed considerably, to
around 12.

The run itself was spectacular. I ran with, and got to know, two more of my teammates, Jamie and Lexi. Jamie is our team rabbit, always well out ahead of the rest of us; but today he hung back and kept pace with me. Jamie is a Mentor with the Team, and (not to sound redundant, because I think I've said this about everyone I've
met so far) he's an incredibly nice guy. I had a great time running with him until about the 3/4 mark, when he finally kicked it up and disappeared ahead, leaving a little puff of smoke, a la the Road Runner.

About a third of the way into the run, Jamie and I caught up to Lexi, a fellow first-timer, training for the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon in March. Lexi and I kept each other motivated (okay, it was much more HER keeping ME motivated) through the last REALLY tough three miles, when we got to go back up all those
lovely hills we'd descended on the way out!

In all, it was a great run! I was originally scheduled to only run 12 miles today, but since that would have meant turning around early, and running by myself, I decided it would be better to add an extra mile, and stick with Jamie and Lexi. It worked out.

When Lexi and I got back to Byrd Park, I asked her to take a picture of my beard, which was absolutely coated in ice (not frost, but ICE) from my breath. It was uncomfortable trying to drink my post-run Gatorade, but since the Gatorade was frozen solid, it wasn't that big a deal. And still, I got a kick out of it. So, have
another laugh, on me.